Music to reduce pain and anxiety? Evidence from patients undergoing urological procedures

This study investigated the effects of music on pain and anxiety in patients undergoing urological procedures. They found that listening to music during urological procedures reduced self-reported pain and anxiety.

Urological procedures are performed using non-invasive (non-surgical) techniques. These procedures treat diseases or issues with the urinary system. Because they are typically non-invasive, they generally only require local anesthetic. As a result, the patient is usually awake during these procedures.

Some patients report increased pain and anxiety during the procedures. Music has been proposed as a non-pharmacological (non-drug) option to ease pain and anxiety in these patients. Music can act as an analgesic (pain reliever) and anxiolytic (relieves anxiety).

This study reviewed published data on the effects of music on pain and anxiety in patients undergoing urological procedures.

This study included data from 16 clinical reports. In these reports patients underwent a number of different urological procedures. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale. Anxiety was measured using either a visual analog scale or a STAI (State-Trait anxiety Inventory).

In 14 of the 16 reports, patients reported a reduction in pain and anxiety with music. Procedural satisfaction results were significantly higher in patients that listened to music in 9 of the 16 studies. In 7 of the studies, patients also reported a greater willingness to repeat the procedure.

They concluded that listening to music during urological procedures reduced self-reported pain and anxiety.

This nature of the music and personal preference will have an impact of the effects of music on pain and anxiety.

If you have any questions regarding pain and anxiety management during urological procedures, please discuss with you physician.